| Cattle Egret | ||||||||||||||
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| Scientific Classification | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Bubulcus ibis |
The Cattle Egret , Bubulcus ibis, is a small white heron. It is of Old World origins, but has been a very successful coloniser, and is now found in the warmer parts of every continent except Antarctica
This is a stocky species with a short thick bill and buff back, breast and crown in breeding plumage. It is otherwise white.
Their breeding habitat is large wetlands in warm countries. They nest in colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. 1-5 eggs are laid.
Most are permanent residents apart from some post-breeding dispersal, which has led presumably led to this egret's range expansion.
These birds are often found in dry grassy habitats, unlike most herons which are associated with shallow water. Cattle Egrets feed on insects, especially grasshoppers, and are usually found with cattle and other large animals which disturb small creatures which the egrets then catch. They will also ride on the backs of large ruminants.